What you'll find
Period houses and terraces along the harbour and the shore road, family estates and newer developments behind the town, and larger homes and bungalows on the roads towards Millisle, Bangor and Newtownards.
Who buys here
Families wanting a seaside town within reach of Bangor and Belfast, commuters, and downsizers and retirees who want to be by the water.
Getting about
There's no railway in the town; Bangor station, about fifteen minutes away, has trains to Belfast. Newtownards is a short drive south-west.
Mortgage points to note
- Downsizing. If you're borrowing into retirement, lenders look closely at pension income and age at the end of the term. Some offer retirement interest-only loans.
- Seafront and period homes. Older houses facing the sea often need roofs, windows and render looked after. Expect the valuer to note it, and get a full survey.
- Stamp duty. Larger homes and seafront properties here often go above the £300,000 first-time buyer threshold. Check your figure.
- Holiday lets. Letting to visitors needs a holiday-let mortgage rather than a standard buy-to-let.
Nearby
See also Bangor and Newtownards.
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